Theft of props means kids' show can't go on

ANAHEIM – Parents are scrambling to rebuild wood, metal and glitter-covered props used in dance routines performed by more than 20 children trained by Higher Ground Dance Co. in Anaheim.

That's because a $5,000 storage trailer filled with homemade sets worth about $1,500 was stolen from the dance studio's parking lot April 23, said Anaheim police and the company's owner, Celia Dohrman.

The 12-foot-long Alpine trailer – purchased last month to store the props – didn't have a license plate and was uninsured, making it a "total loss," Dohrman said.

"The props have no value to anyone but our kids," Dohrman said. "I don't think the person who did this realized they were stealing from kids."

The trailer's doors had two locks, but the wheels and hitch were unsecured, Dohrman said. Additionally, she does not recall the trailer's identification number, which means it cannot be entered into a database that would alert authorities if someone tried to sell it.

"We haven't seen a rash of these types of thefts, but there are locking devices for the hitch portion of the trailer," Anaheim police Sgt. Bob Dunn said. "The best thing anyone can do is to keep information about any vehicles and trailers handy so it helps us in returning the property."

Dohrman said at first she thought the trailer was towed by police for possibly being illegally parked. Visits to several local tow yards were unsuccessful.

Just two days before the trailer was stolen, the studio's dance team won first place at a competition that helped it qualify for a national event scheduled for this summer in Las Vegas. In the meantime, the children may have to skip an upcoming dance competition because they don't have any props to work with.

Suzie Ewing's 6-year-old daughter, Delanney, dances with other children ages 5 to 19 at Higher Ground. Ewing is concerned that the missing props will prevent the team from performing in the next several rounds of competitions.

"My daughter was devastated that someone would take the props, which really don't have any value," said Ewing, who last summer helped build the props. "It's very frustrating. The parents have been talking amongst themselves, and we're willing to do what we need to rebuild and help these kids move forward."

Anyone with information about the stolen trailer and dance props is urged to call Anaheim police at 714-765-1900.